Petaluma is one of the best places for a weekend getaway in December. Petaluma lights up holiday activities filled with magical moments and old-world merriment! Families love to spend a weekend in Petaluma with their shopping lists and their holiday spirit. There are so many ways to enjoy a wintery weekend in our historic downtown. New this year, you can even ice skate! Learn all the ways you and your family can experience holiday cheer in historic Petaluma.  

The City of Lights Driving Tour spans all of December. Marvel at the festive decorated houses and business. This spectacular driving tour showcases the many historic homes in Petaluma. There’s a reason why Petaluma homes and downtown have been featured in many motion pictures! The map will be available on November 15 at the Visitors Center, online, and in the Petaluma Argus-Courier.

The Hotel Petaluma Tapestry Collection by Hilton hosts its Gingerbread House Showcase and Competition November 29-30. On December 3, the Hotel hosts the 3^rd Annual Holiday Makers Fair 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Enjoy a festive day of shopping for unique gifts from local artisans and makers.

Anticipation mounts as families gather on November 30 for Santa’s Riverboat Arrival at the Turning Basin near Taps on the River. The Pacific Empire Chorus sings carols and holiday favorites in beautiful, a cappella, four-part harmonies and our MC, the Merry Minstrel, regales the crowd with guitar, harmonica and vocals. When Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by tugboat, they’re escorted by Petaluma School of Ballet dancers to Santa’s Grotto near Taps, where children can get their faces painted by Budderball the Clown and join Santa for photos and Christmas wishes at 1:30 pm. This Petaluma Downtown Association (PDA) event is a crowd pleaser.    

Santa arriving on Shop Small Saturday (November 30) makes it so easy for shoppers to put those Christmas wishes into action and save, while supporting local merchants. You can grab a Holiday Passport at the Visitors Center to make sure you find all the best deals and get a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to spend on the items you wish you hadn’t passed on.

On December 7, the PDA presents its Downtown Holiday Market & Shopping Stroll on Kentucky Street, which features special deals in shops and booths with even more options, all decked out for the holidays.

That evening, there’s another chance to catch Santa at the Tree lighting Celebration at Theatre Square and the river lights up when the Petaluma Yacht Club presents a Lighted Boat Parade. The boats leave the Petaluma Marina at 5:30 pm and arrive at the Turning Basin at 6:00 pm.

For those interested in Compassionate Tourism, the Fabulous Women’s Festival of Trees raffles off decorated, themed trees to raise money for nonprofits, while entertaining attendees with all the holiday musts, including music, treats and another appearance by Santa. Walking into the festival is like stepping into a Christmas card, with the magic of the season taking your breath away. This year’s event will be held on December 13, at Hall of the Above (corner of Petaluma Blvd and E Washington) from 2 – 9 pm.  

Beginning December 13, the fairgrounds is home to LumaIce, a huge, outdoor ice rink for even more holiday fun. The rink, made with real ice, accommodates more than 200 skaters at a time.

Mark your calendar for a holiday weekend!

What’s better than a December getaway to shop for the holidays and take in some old-world holiday cheer in a historic town that pulls out all the stops? What weekend will you pick to visit Petaluma?

• You could come November 29th and enjoy the driving tour, Santa’s Riverboat Arrival, Shop Small Saturday and the Gingerbread Showcase.
• On the weekend of December 6th, you’ll be here for the shopping event of the year, the Downtown Holiday Market & Shopping Stroll, the Tree lighting Celebration at Theatre Square and the Lighted Boat Parade.
• The weekend of December 13th, it’s the Fabulous Women’s Festival of Trees and skating at LumaIce.

Whichever weekend you choose, Petaluma offers more than its fair share of holiday activities and cheer.